Comedian George Carlin’s most memorable routine was, “A place for my stuff.” In it, he talked about dealing with the increasing quantity of items we accumulate throughout life.

George was funny. The problem is not. Here are some low-cost ideas for quickly creating storage space for your stuff.

• Attach a cloth pouch or thin plastic basket to the inside of cupboard doors. This is a great way to store Tupperware lids, cosmetics, etc.

• Install hooks inside the foyer closet for loose items such as hats and scarfs.

• Use egg cartons to make effective storage inserts in drawers.

• Fashion stores often put purchases in stiff, high-quality boxes. Placed on their sides, these make effective storage compartments. (Especially shoeboxes.)

• Consider using suitcases for out-of-season clothing. In addition to storage, they also provide protection.

• Never throw out an old wine rack. There are numerous ways these can be used for storage. (Example: for tools.)

By thinking creatively, you can probably come up with many other simple ideas for creating more storage. The reward is a home that looks neater and more spacious.

Imagine if you dreamed of owning a special limited edition vehicle. What would you do to ensure that your dream vehicle would someday be parked in your driveway — with your name on the ownership papers?

You would probably start by doing some research. You’d find out how much that vehicle would cost, what features are available, and so forth. You would likely visit a local dealership and take a test drive if a model is available on site. You would keep an eye on the market for any that come up and let the dealer know you’re looking for just that car.

If you did, then, some day, you’d probably be the proud owner of the limited edition car of your dreams.

What does this have to do with real estate?

Well, you can take the same approach when there’s a neighbourhood you’d love to live in someday. You can target it, learn what homes typically cost in that area, and keep your eye on that market in case a property becomes available that meets your criteria.

By focusing on a specific neighbourhood, you increase your chances of someday living there, simply because you’re focusing on it.

Of course, neighbourhood targeting isn’t as simple as aiming to own a specific car someday. That’s why you need a great REALTOR® who can keep an eye on that neighbourhood on your behalf and alert you to opportunities that become available.

Then, when there is a listing that’s a good fit, you can decide whether or not to make a move.

Is there a dream neighbourhood you’d like to live in some day? Call today to start making it happen.

No one wants to deal with a burglary. How do you reduce the chances of one happening?

Fortunately, burglaries are a well-studied phenomenon — especially by law enforcement. These studies have identified specific things you can do to cut the risk dramatically. Here are some ideas:

• 34% of home break-ins occur through the front door. Experts recommend investing in a door with a top-quality locking mechanism. (The best are those that lock at three points of contact.)

• 50% of burglars will be deterred if your home has some sort of video monitoring system. A thief doesn’t want his face on YouTube!

• Unfortunately, signs and window stickers warning of an alarm system do not deter thieves. However, 62% of burglars will immediately run away when an alarm goes off. Always turn on your alarm system when you’re not home!

• 22% of burglaries occur through a sliding glass door or patio door. Make sure it’s locked and also use a solid metal jammer.

• Some thieves use frequency scanners to gain access to garages. Police recommend changing your remote entry code regularly and putting blinds or curtains on garage windows so thieves can’t see (and be tempted by) any valuables inside.

As you can see, there are many simple things you can do to reduce your chances of a burglary dramatically. The effort is worth it.

Determining if you should buy a new home or fix up your current one isn’t easy.  In fact, the decision can be steeped in so much drama they make reality TV shows about it!

So if you’re considering whether to move or improve, here are three things to consider.

1. Will a renovation truly fix what you don’t like about your property?  If you’re tired of a small kitchen, for example, it might not be possible, given the layout, to make it any bigger.  On the other hand, if you’re craving a spacious rec room with a cosy fireplace then a renovation could make that happen.

Of course, there are some things you may want that aren’t specific to your house, such as an easier commute or nearby park.  Those are features you may only be able to get by moving.

2. How much will a renovation cost?  How does that compare to the cost of moving to a new home?  It’s important to get accurate estimates of each so you can make a smart decision.  This is where a good REALTOR® can help.

Keep in mind that renovations have a habit of costing more than you originally anticipate. As mentioned earlier, the final result should be a home you want to stay in for quite some time.

3. Beware of compromising versus settling.  Whichever decision you make — renovate or sell — you can expect to have to make at least some compromises.  That’s normal.

For example, consider adding an extension to your house. That’s a major renovation.  Is it the ideal way to get the extra room you want?  Do the benefits of renovating outweigh the benefits of finding a new larger home designed to include the space you need?

Yes, it’s a tough decision.  If you’re in the midst of making it, call today, to get the facts you need to make the best choice for you.

There are few things more beautiful than cut flowers in a vase. They instantly brighten any room. That is, of course, until they wilt and die. So how do you make cut flowers last as long as possible? Here are some ideas:

• Cut the bottom of the stems before you put the flowers in the vase. An angled cut is best as this will enable the flower to draw in more water.

• Add a fertilizer to the water. Most flower shops include a pouch with the order. Follow the directions carefully. Don’t use too much.

• Make sure the vase is high enough to support the flowers. Too much strain on the stems will cause the flowers to die sooner.

• After a couple of days, re-snip the stems. This will add an additional day or two to the life of the flowers.

• Flowers last longer if you put them in the fridge (in water) overnight. That’s why florists store cut flowers in cool rooms.

Finally, watch the water level and top off as required. Older cut flowers will die quickly when starved of water — even for just a couple of hours.

Do you ever wonder how most people find the homes they eventually buy? You might imagine them driving by a “For Sale” sign or seeing a home for sale in the newspaper and then calling to enquire.

Of course, many buyers find out about listed properties that way. But, according to research by the National Association of Realtors, there are many other — sometimes surprising — ways buyers find their next dream home.

For example:

• 88% of buyers find a home with the help of a real estate agent.

• 90% of buyers search online as part of the home buying process. (Such as viewing a property’s profile on the agent’s website.)

• 69% of buyers searching for a home using Google, use a specific local term, such as “Saskatoon homes for sale”.

• 29-46% of buyers attend an Open House as part of their home hunting activities.

Overall, the research shows that buyers are using a multitude of ways — combining online and offline methods — to find homes.

What does all this mean to you? If means that if you’re preparing your home for sale, you need to ensure your marketing plan takes into account all the ways buyers are finding properties — so you can be sure that they will find yours.

Looking for a REALTOR® who knows how to market your home for maximum exposure? Call today.

What You Need to Know. More fires start in the kitchen than in any other room. Those fires can be expensive; since even a minor incident, with no injuries, can result in significant damage. That’s why it’s important to keep up with the latest in fire prevention.

The most recent research tells us:

• Never leave cooking food unattended. Doing so is the number one cause of kitchen fires.

• Make sure cooking appliances, especially deep fryers, are safety certified by the appropriate government agency.

• When using oil in a frying pan, always heat slowly at no more than a medium heat setting.

• Always turn off stove burners and other cooking appliances immediately after cooking.

• Never attempt to put out a grease fire with water. Use baking soda or a fire extinguisher.

• Never remove or cover up a smoke detector due to nuisance alarms. The one alarm that isn’t a nuisance may save your life.

Finally, experts say that if you can’t put out a fire immediately, get everyone out of the home and call emergency services.

January home sales held steady in the face of some recent gloomy economic reports with 174 units changing hands in Saskatoon. This is comparable to results a year ago and only 17% below the five year average for January. The market experienced a decline in the number of homes added to the market in January with a 5.5% decrease for a total 683 new listings. A decline in new building permits coupled with home sellers deciding to wait until spring to go to market, has helped to relax inventory levels. The average selling price year over year was virtually unchanged at $354,000, down 1.2%. “Focusing on the average price can be very misleading” according to Jason Yochim, CEO with the Saskatoon Region Association of REALTORS®, “An average is just that, it can be skewed based on a change in the number of homes selling in a particular price range.” A more accurate barometer of pricing than the average is the composite Home Price Index, (HPI) which was $305,400 at month end, a 1.4% decrease over the same time last year. This is the first leveling of the HPI since a steady decline which started in September. This is a positive sign when it comes to a trend in home prices. According to a recent survey by Praxis Analytics, Saskatchewan residents remain optimistic about the economy in spite of economic challenges.

Although there are currently 1,612 active listings, the decline in new listings so far this year coupled with steady demand will help ensure that inventory levels remain below the overall 2015 average of 1,856 active listings. Condominiums in Saskatoon accounted for roughly 40% of the active properties with 634 units currently on the market. Of these active condos, it is estimated that about 20% are new units. By comparison, less than a third of the single family homes available on the market are new construction.

On average it takes 50 days to sell a home in Saskatoon at approximately 97% of the asking price. This is a typical exposure period for this time of year. “The seller is really the deciding factor in determining how long a home will sit on the market. The higher they choose to price above market the longer the home will sit. It is important to keep in mind that every property is unique, every situation is unique and every micro market is unique. He cautions, "It only makes sense to have a professional REALTOR® provide sound advice when it comes to pricing competitively in this market. -Source: February 2016 SRAR Media Release

Looking for a professional REALTOR®?  Call today.

As you’re probably aware, the list price you set for your property has an impact on how quickly it sells — and how much you earn on the sale.

What you may not realize is just how significant an impact it has. Consider the following examples.

Example 1: You price your property well above its current market value. As a result, many buyers don’t bother to see it because it’s outside of their price range. Those who do see it are confused by the high price tag, (and may even be suspicious.) They may wonder, “What’s going on?”

In this scenario, the home will likely languish on the market for weeks or even months. You might even have to lower the price dramatically to reignite interest.

Example 2: You price your property just a couple of percentage points lower than what is necessary to gain the interest of qualified buyers. That might not seem like much of a problem. How much can a couple of percentage points matter?

Those points matter a lot.

On a $400,000 property, pricing your home just 2% lower than necessary could cost you $8,000 on the sale. That’s a serious amount of money!

So, as you can see, pricing your home right is serious business. Fortunately, a good REALTOR® knows how to set the right price.

Looking for a good REALTOR®? Call today.